Drilling head



June 25, 1957 J. W. HOUSTON DRILLING HEAD Filed Jan, 28, 1954 Ila I II ShgtsSheet 1 /02 9 98 Fig.

yIOZ -94 Jalm W Housfan IN V EN TOR.

J. W. HOUSTON DRILLING HEAD June 25, 1957 3 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed Jan.- 28, 1954 Fig.1

John W Houston INVEV TOR.

June 25, 1957 w HOUSTON 2,797,065

DRILLING HEAD Filed Jan. 28, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I as 2 Fl' .3 38 g l as John W Houston 1N VEN TOR.

BY WMFM hired States This invention relates in general to improvements in drilling heads, and more specifically to a drilling head intended to be utilized in the drilling of holes in the ground.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved drilling head which is intended primarily to be utilized in the drilling of horizontal passages through the ground in conjunction with pipes, the pipes being positionable in the passages immediately behind the drilling head.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved drilling head which includes spiked drilling units, the drilling units being so mounted whereby upon the striking of a relatively immovable object, such as a small rock, the drilling units are reciprocated on their relative supports so that the spikes thereof may pass around the obstacle and the obstacle will be removed without direct engagement thereof by the drilling head.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved drilling head which includes drilling units mounted for both rotation about a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the drilling units also being slidable along the transverse axis so that spikes thereof will effectively cut away the face of a passage being drilled and permit the earth or other material being removed to be fed back into an auger for complete removal thereof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved drilling head arrangement which includes both a spiked nose and drilling units disposed on opposite ends of a transverse shaft, the shaft and drilling nose being mounted for rotation about a drilling axis and the arrangement of spikes on the nose and the drilling units being such that a complete circular path may be cut.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred form of the drilling head and shows the same operating in combination with an auger, the auger being mounted within a pipe which is being progressively pushed through the ground as a horizontal passage is being bored by the drilling head;

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the drilling head of Figure 1 and shows the general arrangement of the components thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the drilling head of Figure 1 taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3--3 of Figure 2 and shows the manner in which the individual drilling units are mounted for reciprocating movement along a'supporting transverse shaft, the drilling head being removed from a shaft of an auger which is illustrated as being attached in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the secatent 2,797,065 Patented June 25, 957

V 2 tion line 44 of Figure 3 and shows the relationship of one of the drilling units. with respect to an end of the transverse shaft on which it is mounted;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section view showing the relationship between a pin carried by one of the drilling units and a cam groove in the transverse shaft which will effect reciprocation of the drilling unit along the transverse shaft in response to rotation of the drilling unit on the transverse shaft;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view. of the transverse shaft and shows the shape of the cam groove formed therein;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of drilling head and shows the same mounted on a forward end of an'auger;

Figure 8 is a front elevational View of the drilling head of Figure 7 and shows the arrangement of the various components thereof; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the.

section line 9-9 of Figure 8 and shows the construction of the various portions of the drilling head of Figure 7.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figures 1 through 6, inclusive, a preferred embodiment of the drilling head which is the subject of this invention. As is best illustrated in Figure 1, the drilling head, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10 is mounted on the forward end of a shaft 12 of an auger which is referred to in gen.- eral by the reference numeral 14. The auger 14 includes blades 16 which are spirally arranged. The auger 14 is mounted within a pipe 18 which is being pushed through the ground 20. The drilling head 10 cuts away the ground 20 in front of the auger 14 and the pipe 18 and both the drilling head and auger 14 and the pipe 18 are progressively pushed through the ground 20 so that the pipe 18 may form a sealed horizontal passage under the ground. It is to be understood that this is only one example of the use of the drilling head 10.

Referring now to Figure 3 in particular, it will be seen that the drilling head 10 includes a tubular drive shaft 22 in which the forward end of the shaft 12 may be axially positioned. In order that the shaft 12 may be locked in the tubular drive shaft 22 in driving relation there is provided a pair of set screws 23 carried by the tubular drive shaft 22.

Rigidly secured to the forward end of the tubular drive shaft 22 by suitable fastening means, such as welding 26, is a solid transverse shaft 28. Mounted on opposite ends of the transverse shaft 28 are identical drilling units gv ich are referred to in general by the reference numeral Each of the drilling units 30 includes an elongated sleeve 32 which is mounted on the associated end portion of the transverse shaft 28 for both rotating and sliding movement. The other end of the sleeve 32 is provided with a cap 34 to prevent entrance of dirt and other foreign matter in between the sleeve 32 and the associated portion of the transverse shaft 28. Carried by the sleeve 32 is a plurality of spikes 36 which extend radially from the sleeve 32 and are spaced in staggered relation both longitudinally and circumferentially of the sleeve 32.

Disposed on the transverse shaft 28 intermediate the ends 'of the sleeve 32 is a cam groove 38 which is formed in the associated end portion of the transverse shaft 28.

provided at its inner end with a head 42 which retains thereon a bearing 44, the bearing 44 being engageable with opposite walls of the cam groove 38, tofacilitate The pin is the turning movement of the sleeve 32 with respect to the transverse shaft 28. i

Inorder that the pin 40 and the bearing 44 may be positioned in the cam groove 38 after the sleeve 32 has been positioned on its associated end of the transverse shaft '28, there is provided a removable" plug 46 which is preferably inserted into an internally threaded bore 48 in the'sleeve 32. The plug 46 hasa bore 50 therethrough in \vhichis received the pin 40. The pin 40 is positioned within the bore 50 by a nut 52 threadedly engaged onthe outer end thereof.

Duringthe normal 'operation of the drilling head certain'of thespikes 36 will engage obstacles, such as small rocks and the like. Normally, the spilges will engage the obstacle and either the obstacle will have to be" broken, thespike en gaging the obstacle broken or the drilling head stalled. However, inasmuch as the drilling units' some mounted on the opposite end of the transverse shaft 28 for both rotation and sliding movement, when one of the spikes 36 engages an obstacle, the drilling unit is turned relative-to the transverse shaft 28. The rotation of the drilling unit 30 about the transverseshaft 28 results in reciprocatory movement of the drilling unit on the transverse shaft 28'due to the coaction between the pin and the cam groove 38. Thus, the

spike engaging the obstacle will pass around the obstacle and after all dirt has been removed from around the obstacle in this manner the obstacle will be loosened and may be moved rearwardly by the drilling head 10.

The drilling head 10 also'includes a drive shaft extension 54 which is in alignment with the tubular drive shaft 22. Suitably secured to the drive shaft extension 54 such asby a key 56 is a 'nose 58. The nose 58 is provided with a pointed forward end 60 and has a plurality of spikes 62 extending outwardly therefrom.

In order that the drilling operation of the drilling head 10 may be effective, it is to be understood that the spacing between the innermost spike 36 of one of the drilling units 30 and an adjacent innermost spike 36 of the other of the drilling units 30 is equal to or less than the effective cutting diameter of the spikes 62 of the nose 58 so that any material not cut by the nose 58 will be cut by the drilling units 30.

In order that material drilled by the drilling head 10 may be' moved rearwardly for further movement by the auger 14", there is carried by the tubular drive shaft 22 a pair of generally longitudinally extending fins 64. Thefins 64 extend radially from the tubular drive shaft 22in slightly offset relation, as is best illustrated in Figure 2, and include curved forward end portions 66 to facilitate rearward movement of the dirt loosened by the drilling head 10. I

"Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of drilling head which is referred to in general'by the reference numeral 70. The drilling head 70 forms an integral part of an auger which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 72. The auger 72 includes a first drive shaft 74 which is tubular and which has secured to the outer surface thereof a spiral auger blade 76. It is intended that the drilling head 70 cut into the earth and that the earth loosened by the drilling head 70 will be moved rearwardly by the spiral blade 76 of the auger 72.

Suitably splined to the forward end of the first drive shaft 74 as at 78 is a split housing 80. The individual halves of the housing 80 are removably clamped together by fasteners 82.

The housing 80 is provided with transversely aligned bores 84 in which are seated bearings 86. Journalled in the bearings 86 are tubular shafts 88 which have end portions thereof extending outwardly of the housing 80. 'Suitably journalled inthe tubular shafts88 is a transverse shaft which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 90. The transverse shaft 90 includes an enlarged central portion 92 which is disposed between opposed ends of the tubular shafts 88 and which serves to position both the tubular shafts 88 and the transverse shaft 90. The transverse shaft 90 also includes elongated end portions 94 which are of reduced diameters. The end portions 94 are journalled in the tubular shafts 88 and extend outwardly therethrough.

Slidably and rotatably mounted on the end portions 94 of the transverse shaft' 90 which extend outwardly through the tubular shafts 88 are drilling units which are referred to in general by reference numeral 96. Each drilling unit 96 includes a sleeve 98 which has the outer end thereof closed by a cap 100. The sleeve 98 is also provided with a plurality of radially extending spikes 102 which are staggered both longitudinally and circumferentially of the sleeve 98.

It will be noted that the sleeves 98 are of such a length that inner ends thereof overlie outer portions of the tubular shafts 88. The overlapping portions of the sleeves 98 and the tubular shafts 88 are splined together as at 104 so that the sleeves 98 may be reciprocated along the transverse shaft 90 and at the same time remain in driving engagement with'the tubular shafts 88. In order that no dirt may pass into the sleeves 98 and the tubular shafts 88, the inner end of each sleeve 98 is provided with 'a seal 106 which engages the tubular shaft 88 with which the sleeve 98 is associated.

'The first' drive shaft 74 is provided with a longitudinal bore 108 in which is mounted for rotation a second drive shaft 110. The drive shaft 110 also is disposed within a bore 112 in the housing 80, the bore 112 being in alignment with and communicating with the bore 108. Suitably seated within the housing 80 is a bearing 114 in which the forward portion of the drive shaft 110 which will be referred to as the second drive shaft, is journalled. The opposite end of the drive shaft 110 will also be suitably journalled in bearing means (not shown). The forward end of the drive shaft 110 is provided with a bevel gear 116.

- In order that the tubular shafts 88 and their associated drilling units 96 may be rotated, the inner ends of the tubular shafts 88 are provided with bevel gears 118 which are meshed with the bevel gear 116. It will be seen that the relationship of the two bevel gears 118 and the bevel gear 116 is such that the drilling units 96 will be rotated in opposite directions.

The outer part of each end portion 94 of the transverse shaft 90 is provided with a cam groove 120. Disposed in the cam groove 120 is a pin 122 on which is mounted a b earing 124. The bearing 124 engages the cam groove 120 in exactly the same manner as does the bearing 44 with respect'to the cam groove 38 as described above. The pin 122 is carried by a plug 126 removably inserted in the sleeve 98 and is locked in position by a nut 128.

' Inasmuch as the drilling 'units 96 rotate in opposite directions'and since the transverse shaft 90 is relatively fixed by 'such rotation, it will be seen that the engagement of the rollers 124 in the cam grooves 120 will result' in the continued reciprocation of the drilling unit 96 on the end portions 94 of the transverse shaft 90 simultaneous with the rotation of the drilling units 96 about the end portions 94 thus the drilling units 96 will operate with the same, if not greater, efficiency as the drilling unit 10 described above.

The forward end of the housing 80 is provided with a longitudinally extending bore 130' through which passes a drive shaft "extension 132. The drive shaft extension 132 is-in alignment with the drive shafts 74 and 110 and is rotatablyjo urnalled in a bearing 134 carried by the housing 80. Suitably keyed as at 136 on the forward end of the drive shaft extension 132 is a nose 138 which is provided with a plurality of spikes 140.

In order that the nose 138 may be rotated to effect a journalling operation, the rear end of the drive shaft extension 132 is provided with a bevel gear 142. The bevel gear 142 is meshed with the bevel gears 118 and accordingly is rotated at the same speed as the drive shaft 110 but in an opposite direction.

Inasmuch as the housing 80 is keyed to the drive shaft 74 in order that the drilling head 70 will operate in the desired manner, the drive shaft 110 must rotate at a different speed relative to the rotation of the drive shaft 74. In order that this may be accomplished, either the drive shaft 110 may be rotated in a direction opposite from the rotation of the drive shaft 74, or it may be rotated in the same direction as the rotation of the drive shaft 74 but at a relatively great speed differential.

In order that earth and other material loosened by the drilling head 70 may be urged rearwardly, the housing is provided with a pair of substantially diametrically opposite fins 144. The fins 144 are in slightly offset relation and have curved forward end portions 146 to effect the rearward movement of loose material such as earth and the like. It is to be understood that after the material [has been moved rearwardly by the fins 144, the material is then engaged by the auger 72 and continued to be moved rearwardly either through a pipe, such as the pipe 18 or through the passage being formed in the earth.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A drilling head comprising a drive shaft a, transverse shaft carried by said drive shaft, drilling units carried by said transverse shaft on opposite ends thereof, each drilling unit including -a sleeve rotatably and slidably carried by said transverse shaft, radially extending spikes carried by said sleeve, cooperating means on said sleeve and said transverse shaft for reciprocatingly sliding said sleeve on said transverse shaft in response to rotation of said sleeve relative to said transverse shaft, a housing connecting said transverse shaft to said drive shaft, a second drive shaft extending through the first mentioned drive shaft, drive means within said housing connecting said second drive shaft to said drilling units to rotate the same on said transverse shaft, said drive means including tubular shafts journalled on said transverse shaft, said sleeves being drivingly engaged with said tubular shafts.

2. A drilling head comprising a drive shaft, a transverse shaft carried by said drive shaft, drilling units carried by said transverse shaft on opposite ends thereof, each drilling unit including a'sleeve rotatably and slidably carried by said transverse shaft, radially extending spikes carried by said sleeve, cooperating means on said sleeve and said transverse shafts for reciprocatingly sliding said sleeve on said transverse shaft in response to rotation of said sleeve relative to said transverse shaft, a housing connecting said transverse shaft to said drive shaft, a second drive shaft extending through the first mentioned drive shaft, drive means within said housing connecting said second drive shaft to said drilling units to rotate the same on said transverse shaft in opposite directions.

3. A drilling head comprising a drive shaft, a transverse shaft carried by said drive shaft, drilling units carried by said transverse shaft on opposite ends thereof, each drilling unit including a sleeve rotatably and slidably carried by said transverse shaft, radially extending spikes carried by said sleeve, cooperating means on said sleeve and said transverse shaft for reciprocatingly sliding said sleeve on said transverse shaft in response to rotation of said sleeve relative to said transverse shaft, a housing connecting said transverse shaft to said drive shaft, a second drive shaft extending through the first mentioned drive shaft, drive means within said housing connecting said second drive shaft to said drilling units to rotate the same on said transverse shaft, a drive shaft extension carried by said housing in alignment with said first mentioned and said second drive shafts, a spiked nose carried by said drive shaft extension for rotation therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,045,756 Strauss Nov. 26 1912 1,607,082 Howcott Nov. 16, 1926 1,812,719 Schroder June 30, 1931 1,826,396 Gault Oct. 6, 1931 1,879,177 Gault Sept. 27, 1932 2,680,597 Brown June 8, 1954 

